Quest Diagnostics
With an aging population, this may be an even safer way for investors to play health care. Quest Diagnostics Inc. (NYSE: DGX) is the largest provider of clinical diagnostic testing and related services in the United States and also provides its services internationally.
The company’s diagnostic information services include routine testing, nonoutine and advanced clinical testing, anatomic pathology testing and other diagnostic information services. It offers diagnostic information services primarily under the Quest Diagnostics brand, as well as under the AmeriPath, Dermpath Diagnostics, ExamOne and Quanum brands to patients, clinicians, hospitals, independent delivery networks, health plans, employers, direct contract entities and accountable care organizations through a network of laboratories, patient service centers, phlebotomists in physician offices, call centers and mobile paramedics, nurses and other health and wellness professionals.
Quest Diagnostics also provides risk assessment services for the life insurance industry, as well as health care organizations and clinicians robust information technology solutions.
Investors receive a 1.92% dividend. The BofA Securities target of $166 compares to the $150.64 consensus target for Quest Diagnostics stock. The shares were last seen trading at $137.05 on Wednesday.
Texas Instruments
This old-school legacy semiconductor company offers solid value at current levels and is a great pick for more conservative investors looking for a technology idea. Texas Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ: TXN) is a broad-based supplier of semiconductor components, ranging from digital signal processors to high-performance analog components, to digital light-processing technology and calculators.
Some 65% of the company’s sales are exposed to the well-diversified, business-to-business industrial, automotive, communications infrastructure and enterprise markets. While business from those sectors, especially automotive, could suffer in the near term, the analyst feels the solid dividend should support the shares. The company is also a big Apple supplier, so the long-term outlook for this venerable leader makes it a safer bet for investors with less risk tolerance.
Investors receive a 2.66% dividend. Texas Instruments stock has a $200 price target at BofA Securities. The consensus target is $197.57, and Wednesday’s closing share price was $175.11.
These five top companies in various sectors offer investors the potential for reasonable upside that is supported by dividends that have been paid consistently for years. All these blue-chip leaders make sense for growth and income investors looking to stay invested during these turbulent times.
Originally posted at 24/7 Wall St.
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